Effect Of Vitamin C On Common Cold Randomized Controlled Trial
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that has been linked to a variety of health benefits. One of the most commonly known benefits is its ability to boost the immune system and prevent or reduce the duration of the common cold. For decades, there has been a debate about the effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing and treating the common cold. In this article, we will discuss the findings of a randomized controlled trial that explores the effect of vitamin C on the common cold.
The Study
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland, involved 715 participants who were divided into two groups. The first group was given a daily dose of 1 gram of vitamin C while the second group was given a placebo. The participants were then monitored for the development of the common cold.
The Results
The results of the study showed that the incidence of the common cold was not significantly different between the two groups. However, the group that was given vitamin C had a significantly shorter duration of cold symptoms compared to the group that was given a placebo. The average duration of cold symptoms in the vitamin C group was 8% shorter compared to the placebo group.
Conclusion
The randomized controlled trial conducted by the University of Helsinki provides evidence that vitamin C may have a beneficial effect on the duration of cold symptoms. While the study did not show a significant difference in the incidence of the common cold between the vitamin C and placebo groups, it did demonstrate that vitamin C can reduce the duration of cold symptoms. This suggests that taking vitamin C supplements may be a useful strategy for managing cold symptoms.